BILLS’ 14 POINTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22079, 22 July 1946, Page 3

BILLS’ 14 POINTS

MARIST GOAL-GETTER Y.M.P. UNABLE TO SCORE The hard-rucking, bustling forwards and straight-running inside backs of the Marist first fifteen proved 100 good on Saturday for a weakened Y.M.P. side, which included a number of juniors, Marist winning by 23 points to nil. Marist deserved the victory, but were flattered by the score, the difference between the teams being much less than was indicated by the points, A feature of the game was the goalkicking prowess of the young Marist full-back, I. Bills, whose boot accounted for 14 of the 23 points. He also proved a sound last-liner with reliable hands for cither fielding or tackling and generally correct anticipation of the .trend of play. Another bright performer in the Blue rear division was W. Edwards. In the second spell, when he moved out from first to second five-eighths, he showed a somewhat rare and pleasing appreciation of .the merit of straight-running. He made many penetrating dashes and shc.ne as the swiftest attacking back on the field. Fast Opening Playing with the wind, the Blues set a hot pace in an early attack which the half-back, S. Lee, capped with a try for Bills to convert within five minutes of the opening of the game. Almost immediately the same kicker added a penalty goal and Marist led by eight points in as many minutes. Lee swung his supports into a series of brisk movements, necessitating a sound Y.M.P. defence in which the centre, S. Moeau. and .the full-back, H. Maynard (playing his first senior game) were prominent. Eventually the Blue centre, J. Greig, penetrated for a .try. Bills narrowly missed with a difficult kick, but recaptured his popularity shortly afterwards with a spectacular potted goal from 30 yards out. The half-time score was 15 —nil. The fickle wind dropped after the change-over, and Y.M.P. were without the comparative advantage which had favoured Marist in the first spell. D. Jones, H. Nepia and J. Edwards were prominent in Y.M.P. forward sorties and the middle-backs, J. Maynard and G. Tuhara made repeated thrusts, but the side could not break the steady Blue defence. J. Cleary, G. Sceats and Parker were consistently notable in the Marist vanguard, behind which Lee played well in both attack and defence. Attack and counter-attack alternated until Bills turned another penalty to points. Jus.t before time Lee broke through a ruck to lead an exciting dribbling rush from the Y.M.P. 25 and make an opening for P. McGrannachan to touch down in a good position. Once again Bills converted, putting his team's tally up to 23 points and his own to 14. Mr. W. McKeague was the referee.